1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line two muffin pans with baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, eggs, vinegar, vanilla, and red food coloring until fully homogenized.
3. Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth batter just forms. Do not over mix.
4. Evenly divide the batter among the muffin pans. Bake at 350F, rotating halfway through baking, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely before frosting.
5. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth, light, and fluffy.
6. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes with a standard sized star-tip, or spread with a small spatula.
7. Wasn’t that easy? Now go eat!